Powerhouse Resurrected in West OC

OCEAN CITY- Powerhouse Gym in West Ocean City is back in action with membership rates incomparable when it comes to their state-of-the-art facility and equipment.

Powerhouse Gym in West Ocean City first opened in 1997 by Tony Taghipour, with other locations in Salisbury and Seaford following. In 2004 Taghipour sold West Ocean City’s location and opened a new health club in Cambridge.

In 2010, Taghipour began exploring re-opening a gym in the area. After looking at several different properties, he was about to close on a deal when he was approached to rent out the same location as the previous Powerhouse Gym in the Food Lion shopping center off of Route 611. The original space was too small for what Taghipour had planned but he had the opportunity to expand the health club to the restaurant space next door.

Renovations took place from March until November 2010 and the space was completely gutted and additions were made such as state-of-the-art locker rooms with saunas, as well as a smoothie bar and child care facility.

“By the end of November, we opened the place completely renovated and everything was new from A to Z,” Taghipour said.

The health club now includes all new equipment and 99 percent of it is a combination of the brands Life Fitness and Precor.

“These two lines are the most popular American-made commercial line of equipment,” Taghipour said.

Other equipment includes Expresso cycling, which is, according to Taghipor, the newest technology when it comes to biking. The machine comes equipped with a virtual reality feature so that you can race the person next to you or another over the Internet.

The health club’s renovations have created a separate weight, group exercise, and spinning rooms.

“It gives them the privacy of toners and fitness enthusiasts without interrupting one another,” Taghipor said of the weight room.

The group exercise room has a suspended wood floor, which makes it easier on the joints. Classes include Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Boot Camp for Seniors, Body Works plus a few more. All cardio equipment is equipped with televisions and is iPod capable. The televisions provide parents access to view the child-care facility so they can have an eye on their children at any time.

Child-care and group exercise classes are complimentary and included in the membership fee. There is also no sign-up fee to begin working out with Powerhouse Gym, and upon joining the gym, a member also receives a complimentary training session and assessment to become familiar with the equipment and Powerhouse’s services.

“We are probably the cheapest health club based on the services we offer,” Taghipour said.

On top of their complimentary services, for an additional $5 a month a member can receive unlimited tanning. Stand-up and lay-down tanning booths are provided.

The new smoothie bar provides numerous combinations of protein and energy shakes. Powerhouse has a list of recipes, Peanut Butter Slammer being the most popular, but guests are welcome to create their own.

Taghipour said he doesn’t take anything lightly when it comes to hiring his staff. Class instructors are required to carry a certification in exercise instruction.

“Every single one of our trainers are professionals with different areas of expertise, including nutritional programs and one-on-one personal training,” he said.

The club’s manager, Nicole Schafer, has worked at Powerhouse Gym since it opened in 1997. She is taking her career to a new level as she is only a few weeks away from receiving her personal training certificate.

“We are very fortunate to have her,” Taghipour said.
All-in-all Taghipour said it is Powerhouse’s quality that sets it apart from the rest.

“A combination of things gives us the experience to wind up with the people…that are so effective here, the ability to offer the best services, the best equipment that exists, and yet to be the most comparable as far as pricing,” he said.

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